Do you care that Amazon won't let you remove items from purchase history?

Feb 13, 2012 12:47 AM

Ok, so here's the deal. I bought an embarrassing(well, it'd be embarrassing if someone found out) item on Amazon a month or so ago, and now I can't remove the item from my history. This wouldn't be extremely problematic if not for the fact that I share my account with family members (when they want Prime shipping) and the fact that I don't mind if the woman in my life accesses any of my accounts. Now I have to do the look of shame when they ask for my Amazon. I think they hold it on file for three years, this sucks.

FYI: I talked to Amazon support via the webchat AND the phone, and they confirmed that once you purchase something there's no way to remove it now. I think in the past it was optional.

Interesting question. I routinely delete my browsing history, since my oldest sons now have access to the Amazon account. For me, it's about not spoiling surprises when I am shopping for gifts. But I can see how "personal" purchases could be a problem. I think the only solution is to keep this account only for yourself. Sooner or later, someone WILL page through the purchase history to check details of one of their orders. Start by changing the password now.

And when someone wants to take advantage of your prime shipping, just place the order for them. I think I'll go back to doing that for my DS's now that you mention it.

I wish there was a way to delete items. I even make a second account to buy something once, just so it wouldn't show on my main account (used a 2 week free trial of prime). Too bad that Amazon seems so opposed to it, thanks for checking with them

Interesting question. I routinely delete my browsing history, since my oldest sons now have access to the Amazon account. For me, it's about not spoiling surprises when I am shopping for gifts. But I can see how "personal" purchases could be a problem. I think the only solution is to keep this account only for yourself. Sooner or later, someone WILL page through the purchase history to check details of one of their orders. Start by changing the password now.

And when someone wants to take advantage of your prime shipping, just place the order for them. I think I'll go back to doing that for my DS's now that you mention it.

@caron7: Yeah those are good points, plus you can invite 4 people to piggyback on your prime account, but it's just annoying that you can't delete things, and in reality you'll only find that out when you've already made a purchase you want to hide, as there's no mention of it beforehand.

I also agree that if you're buying a gift for the wife, or kids, and they can see the Amazon account, it really just ruins the surprise.

@hackman2007 , yeah I'm aware, but I've already shared 4 total, so it's just an annoyance. Nothing I can do about it now though, just wondering if it bothers anyone else.

@linuxtrance: So you explain to everyone that you decided to split up the accounts NOW because (Valentine's day, anniversary, birthday, whatever) is on the way and your friends at Woot said you had to do this to avoid ruining future surprises. They will be pleased that you are shopping for them, make their own accounts, still share your prime (or just have you order the occasional item for them). Buy everyone a little something for whatever holiday (worth it to avoid embarrassment now and in the future). Voila. problem solved.

I have Prime and let my family and girlfriend share with their own accounts plus I have 2 Amazon accounts of my own, more to be able to buy 2 lightning deals at a time than anything else.

Unfortunately, none of that helps you to delete an item from your purchase history but it may help you from running into this problem again in the future. For now, you could make a handful of purchases to push that item to the second page of your history where it's not so noticeable.

EDIT: It also wouldn't hurt to come up with a cover story just in case. Gag gift for someone at work or something similar...

@chipgreen: Yeah that's what I did. I always check my history, so for days it would be up there, on the first page, definitely not something I want popping up at work. So I bought some random stuff (like a candle, barbecue brush, etc) to push it, lol.

Good advice in this thread, thanks guys. I definitely just need to make a second account, sucks though as I like to have everything centralized.

@mistamoose: I think Amazon is so rigid on removing it because their purchase history, returns, and reviews are so heavily integrated with each other. Generally, this is great for convenience, but obviously not in this case.

I never considered it for my main items, as I actually have gone back and looked at items a few years old on Amazon and Newegg and such. What I do, however, dislike is that their app store doesn't allow deletion. So many useless apps on that list. >_<

Ah, but I am sorry for your situation. Honestly, I would agree with just saying something like, "Sorry, my account recently got hacked, so from now on just let me know what you want and I can order it with your information. I can't give my info out anymore." and change your password.

Be sure that you have marked the "don't use this for recommendations" box. And, on the bright side, Amazon now does allow you to remove purchases from your Amazon Kindle library permanently. They didn't use to do that. So you all can now delete "Letters from Penthouse XXXII" from your account before your spouse wises up.

@linuxtrance: Thanks and that would be awesome, but for some reason I don't have that option. I can cancel, change auto renew, change credit card info, turn on/off 1-click settings, but nothing for household :(

@linuxtrance: I started with prime student, but after the first year, it's supposed to be the full prime. The first year you don't get the free prime streaming with student. But I am lucky enough to still have my .edu address even though I graduated in 1997, so I used it :)

@mschauber: There are a few other things watered down by student, mainly the family share. But to get free 2day shipping for $3 a month i think it's worth it. Also, on a full membership, even with multiple accounts on one prime, only one can use the streaming VOD.

I am having the same issue here. My solution. Do not make these types of purchases on Amazon. This is a major privacy violation and they should not be profiting off these sales if they don't care to comply. After all, is it the customer they are trying to please?

I would consider not buying things your ashamed about... or have to hide. Now I have a discountinued condom brand in my cart (just in case they resurrect it), but I'm married. If my kids see that... hey they should be embarrassed not me. Don't look if you don't want to know. lol And if they make any more 'superior' comments about us 'sleeping in late' on the weekends, I'm going to have to explain it's not about sleeping. . . but they'll never mention that again either. ;)

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